Martin St. Louis didn’t need long to get a look at life without Nick Suzuki to find out there was still a path forward.
On Friday night in Chicago, Montreal opened its four-game road trip with a 4-1 win over the Blackhawks at the United Center, kicking off the post-Suzuki stretch in solid fashion while the captain recovers from a hand injury. Jake Evans was the big driver, scoring his first two goals of the season and collecting the third three-point game of his career. The only thing he still hasn’t checked off is a three-goal game.
The Canadiens got exactly the kind of opponent they could use. Chicago entered the night at 3-7-0 and, frankly, looked every bit the part of a struggling team. Montreal was inconsistent at times too, but the Blackhawks offered a soft landing.
There was also a bit of history wrapped into the night. Suzuki’s streak of consecutive games stopped at 546, and Lane Hutson is now the Canadiens’ new ironman after extending his own run to 176 straight games. Montreal had not played a game without Suzuki since April 6, 2019.
The shot count told another part of the story. Montreal held a 28-21 edge, while Chicago’s shot differential through 10 games sits at minus-89.
The goalkeeping choices didn’t help the Blackhawks much either. Jeff Blashill started Spencer Knight, who is now 1-4 against the Canadiens.
Arvid Soderblom, who had a clear view from behind the bench, has had more success against Montreal, winning his last two meetings while stopping 56 shots. In three games against the Canadiens, he is 2-0-1 with a 2.21 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage.
In Other News...
Canadiens Face A Tough Zach Whitecloud Decision On Blue-Line Help
Montreals search for blue-line help has turned into a familiar midseason balancing act, with Zach Whitecloud among the names tied to the Canadiens as they weigh whether to add reinforcements or stay patient. The Calgary Flames are holding firm in those discussions, and Whiteclouds $2.75 million cap hit gives the price tag some bite for a player who has yet to record a point this season and sits at minus-5.
For the Canadiens, the real question is whether the upgrade is worth paying up for when other defensive options remain in play. Montreal has been linked to additional targets as well, which gives the front office some room to compare fit, cost and urgency while Calgary shows no sign of moving Whitecloud at a discount. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Prospect Is Suddenly Looking Like A Real Draft Steal
Brayden Klimpkes rise with the Saskatoon Blades is starting to make Montreals long-term hold on his rights look a lot more intriguing. The 19-year-old Canadiens prospect has piled up 15 points in 10 WHL games, a sharp burst for a player who has become the Blades captain and now looks much more comfortable driving play from the back end after a major physical growth spurt.
At 6 feet, Klimpke has clearly changed the look of his game as much as his frame, and his next step only adds to the interest around him. He is committed to the University of North Dakota, while Montreal will keep his NHL rights through 2031, giving the Canadiens plenty of time to see whether this early offensive jump is the start of something bigger. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Fans Still Have A Reason To Watch The Dylan Larkin Saga
The Dylan Larkin trade talk keeps circling back to Montreal, even if the Canadiens are still waiting on a real opening. Minnesota has reportedly been the busiest team working the phones with Detroit since June, while New Jersey and Washington have also been in the mix, leaving the Habs as more of a watch-and-wait presence for now. Larkins representatives want a deal done soon, but nothing has been finalized, which keeps the situation moving without giving any club a clean edge.
For Canadiens fans, the intrigue is less about what is already on the table and more about what could change if Larkin broadens his list. Montreal remains interested if that happens, and there is at least a sense around the league that the fit would make sense if the door ever opens. Until then, the story stays stuck in that familiar trade-deadline limbo, with the Canadiens hoping patience pays off. [Read more 🡒]